roger_hughs_web.jpgDELAND — Football players have taken the field at Stetson University for the first time in 56 years.

The central Florida school announced 18 months ago that it would revive the football program it dropped after the 1956 season.

More than 100 players ran through drills in the team's first practice on Aug. 7. Most of the players are freshmen.

It will be another year before Stetson plays its first official game, though. Coach Roger Hughes told the Daytona Beach News-Journal that he's running training camp as if games were scheduled this season. Hughes spent 10 seasons as head coach at Princeton.

The Hatters will play in the Pioneer Football League, a Division I Football Championship Subdivision conference. Along with football, Stetson also added an NCAA Division I program in women's lacrosse.

Photo: Roger Hughes